AGEs/RAGE Promote Osteogenic Differentiation in Rat Bone Marrow-Derived Endothelial Progenitor Cells via MAPK Signaling

Figure 4

Expression of calcification-related proteins in AGE-induced EPCs. EPCs were induced with 40 mg/l AGE alone (AGEs), with β-gly alone, or with AGEs 40 mg/l+β-gly (10 mmol/l β-gly) for 7 days. (a) Protein expression levels were analyzed by western blotting using antibodies against OPG, RUNX2, or BMP-2; GAPDH was used as the loading control. (b) Densitometric analysis of OPG, RUNX2, and BMP-2 protein expression. Each data point represents the results of three independent repeats. AGEs 40 mg/l+β-gly compared with the other three groups, ^♦ vs. the other three groups. AGE: advanced glycation end product; β-gly: β-glycerophosphate; EPC: endothelial progenitor cell; NC: negative control; OPG: osteoprotegerin; RUNX2: runt-related transcription factor 2.

(a) Western blot

(b)